Confidence!!

[Cazza525]

Hi guys,
Well, my Mum's old mare (18) was picked up wednrsday and shod thursday ready for me to put her back into work. She is obese as has literally been run out in a field for 2 years and not handled much. The thing is I know the mare very well and was riding her regularly up until i was 6 months pregnant for my 2 year old son. She is pretty much bombproof and easy to ride.
Anyhow, I find myself concerned about the first time i ride her! I feel like my confidence has gone even though once i'm on and going i'm 100% sure she'll be fine! She is still quit unsettled and has been acting stallion like around my 2 little pony mares but she is settling gradually. I don't have a school, but the lanes where I am are really quiet. Could someone give me a boost please! Was aiming for taking her out tomorrow morning for half hour, or should i wait until monday when she'll be even more settled!! Help!!

 

[dwi]

Have you got anyone who can walk out with you on foot?

 

[Cazza525]

i suppose i could ask a friend of mine to come down. I'm just so used to being self sufficient and don't want to act like a wuss!!

 

[dwi]

Nothing wimpy at all. Friend will probably enjoy it, you'll relax alot more if you're got someone to chat to and your horse will have someone to follow if you meet anything scary. Let us know how you get on.

 

[indiat]

Hi Cazza, I lost my confidence when I couldn't ride after having my second daughter despite my mare being the gentlest, most sensible creature you could imagine. I took it very slowly and did every thing I could to make me feel better, including having my non horsey husband walk along with me and talk to me to keep me calm. We are back having regular lessons and talk to each other better and are now flying again but I used to shake with nerves when I got on her. I used to be very self consious about my nerves but some one said to me, "Its about you and your horse having fun, not being the best or bravest rider," and it was the best advice some one could have given me. Take it slow, work well within your comfort zone and do whatever you have to to build your confidence back up. My horses only fault is she is quite nappy when hacked on her own and my comfort blanket is a little shetland I borrow from our riding school to come along with us on hacks. We might look ridiculous but we all have fun! Asking some one to ride along with you is nowhere near as bad as all the comfort blankets I used to have. Good luck!

 

[Sharonr]

You will be fine, it's always nerve wracking getting back on board after a break.

Take someone with you as you will then be forced to chat to them which will make you breathe and therefore, relax. If you are riding and are uptight, you tend to hold your breath somewhat, which makes the horse nervous.

Best to go out with someone else to start with so that you are not concentrating totally on something going wrong. Expect the best, not the worst and you'll do fine.